Media Release

New Bill an opportunity to de-politicise "Education
Council"
29 June 2017

A new Bill introduced to Parliament today is a great opportunity to
de-politicise the Education Council and return to its original purpose as a
professional body for teachers, by teachers, NZEI Te Riu Roa says.

The Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa) Amendment Bill in the name
of Labour's Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins, was pulled from the ballot and
will be tabled in Parliament today.
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"This Bill would return to teachers the right to elect our own
representatives to the professional body that's supposed to govern our practice
and we urge MPs from all parties to support it," NZEI Te Riu Roa President Lynda
Stuart said.
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"Its not right that the Minster of Education is now the sole selector of
members of the Council which adds to the feeling among many teachers that
they're not trusted or respected by the Government.
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"Other professions, including doctors and lawyers, elect their own
representatives to their professional bodies and teachers should be no
exception," Ms Stuart said.